BNSF Remote Controlled Units

[Anonymous]

Hi from England [:)], are BNSF remote control units (RCU's) ever used out on the road or are they now stuck in yard service

[joegreen]

They can be out on road service but they are usually in tow to another yard but few do lead trains around the country.Almost all the RCU's stay in the yard though.

BNSF has over 270 RCUs

[chad thomas]

This is the San Diego yard R/C unit. I have never seen this one leave the yard, but that doesn't mean it don't.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

As a general rule, RCU's stay within yard limits although they may be used on industry jobs in some terminal areas. They have become quite common in yard service on most railroads.

[Anonymous]

BNSF Galesburg uses SD40-2's(i think 6 or 7), (rebuilt)SF SD39's(2 or 3), and 2 of the BN SD40-2B's all R/C. the furthest ive ever seen them leave the yard is pulling a made up train out of the yard, and shoving it back into departure tracks...
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=207544

[miniwyo]

The UP sent one of thier Green River RCU's over to be used by the local switch crew here becasue the way it sounded, one of thier other units brokedown. And they were using a crew with this.

[FThunder11]

In the Colorado springs yard theres 2 gp40's(i'm pretty sure thats wut they r, havent gotten close to one of them, but i know the other is) I know i've seen one with an engineer, but it makes me wonder now if the oither is an RCU?!?!

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys, thats been a great help

[Jordan6]

On the BNSF RCO's are only to be operated in a designated RCO Area, for example the area between the yard limit signs. Within the area is a RCO zone of which is a section of track or tracks you would find the RCO normally operating. (my interpitation, not from rule book!)
If the RCO has to leave the RCO area for any reason it must be dead or operated in conventional mode.

[route_rock]

Thing is Galesburg doesnt have yard limits. We run them out past the amtrak depot when pulling trains out and some trains are long enough to get out past the yard control signals to a land run by the DS. Only real RCO zone in Galesburg is the hump lead, everything else is wide open as in an RCO zone no one else can move into that area which would constrain carmen, other trains and light power running to trains. RCO motors can be used in either mode but not out on the mainline as a remote unit.
We have one GP-39-2 as an RCO. It isnt good for pulling trains out so mostly it is used for light switching.